Head of Embedded Systems & Real-Time Control

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Job summary

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University invites applications for a senior role leading the Embedded Systems Department. You will guide strategic direction, oversee real‑time control, edge analytics, and system integration while partnering with sponsors and defense contractors to transition capabilities to warfighter platforms.

State College, PA on‑site role with periodic travel. DoD‑clearance eligibility and program leadership experience are highly valued for driving impactful

Qualifications

• Experience in embedded hardware design and RTOS environments.
• Proven track record in hardware/software co-design and integration.
• Experience with edge computing and data acquisition systems.
• Background in automated control systems and real‑time performance optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to author technical white papers or reports.
• Eligible for access to classified information (Secret level or higher).
• Leadership experience in building and mentoring multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of the Embedded Systems Department, providing strategic direction, technical leadership, and operational oversight.
• Support division leadership in developing and maintaining relationships with sponsors to meet funding objectives.
• Build and direct a multidisciplinary team focused on embedded systems architectures, complex systems integration, hardware‑software integration, edge analytics, and mission‑critical control systems.
• Lead individual research projects and portfolios including developing technical concepts, writing proposals, staffing, research, budgets, and delivering results.
• Provide technical oversight of embedded hardware and software development, ensuring quality and rigor of deliverables and outputs.
• Transition cutting‑edge embedded systems capabilities to operational platforms for the warfighter.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop staff with expertise in embedded systems, edge computing, and real‑time control.
• Foster a culture of innovation, technical excellence, and mission focus.

Skills

Embedded hardware

RTOS programming

HW/SW co-design

Edge computing

Data acquisition

Control systems

System integration

DoD clearance

White papers

Leadership

Job description

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University invites applications for a senior role leading the Embedded Systems Department. You will guide strategic direction, oversee real‑time control, edge analytics, and system integration while partnering with sponsors and defense contractors to transition capabilities to warfighter platforms.

State College, PA on‑site role with periodic travel. DoD‑clearance eligibility and program leadership experience are highly valued for driving impactful